Crassulaceae

How to Plant and Care for Kalanchoe Tomentosa

Kalanchoe Tomentosa Care and Propagation Info
Kalanchoe Tomentosa is also known as Panda Plant, Pussy Ears, Panda Bear Plant, Plush Plant, Donkey Ears, Rabbit Ears, Black Rabbit Ears, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe, Cocoon Plant, White Lady

There are more than 100 varieties of Kalanchoe that can be found in Africa. Kalanchoe tomentosa grows wild on the island of Madagascar and it grows to 3 feet in height in the wild.

Panda Plants are very slow-growing perennial succulent plants with dense white felt-like hairs that cover the entire leaf eventually growing to form an upright small shrub up to 2 feet tall. The stems branches are dense with hair and grow woody with age.

Panda leaves are fleshy and oval in shape, they can grow up to 3 inches long, they are covered in velvety white to blue-green hair, and they have slightly notched tips.

Kalanchoe Tomentosa Care and Propagation Information:

Hardiness

Zones: 9a - 12b

Kalanchoe tomentosa grows best at temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. Although Kalanchoe tomentosa can tolerate slightly lower or higher temperatures, it cannot tolerate frost or excessive heat.

Water Needs

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Regular

Prefers to be dried out completely before watering and prone to root rot. Kalanchoe Tomentosa is drought tolerant. 

Soil Requirements

  • Acidic
  • Alkaline
  • Average
  • Well-Drained
  • Gritty

Prefers well draining soil. In general, Kalanchoes prefer a but more organic matter in their soil.

Kalanchoe tomentosa plants should be fed diluted fertilizer recommended for succulents, once a month from spring until the middle of summer. Don't fertilize in late summer when the plant is dormant. It's not necessary to fertilize during the winter months. 

Light Requirements

  • Sun
  • Shade

Prefers bright light, or full sun. Provide protection from the direct hot sunlight.

Ideal Growing Location

  • Indoors
  • Outdoors

How do you propagate Kalanchoe Tomentosa?

Kalanchoe Tomentosa is propagated from:
  • Cuttings

Cut a few leaves during their growing season (spring or summer), and let them callous for a few days. Plant the cuttings in a moist sand or perlite mix that drains well.

The cuttings of Panda Plants typically take root within 3 to 4 weeks and should be watered as soon as the soil becomes dry on top. Once the roots appear and new growth appears, the new plants should be moved to a larger pot of standard succulent soil mix.

Does Kalanchoe Tomentosa Flower?

Yes, it flowers during:

  • Spring
  • Summer
The flowers of the kalanchoe panda plants are bell-shaped and yellow-green with dark brown tips. Flowers of the panda plant have a velvety appearance similar to the leaves, with short velvet hairs covering them. Panda plants rarely bloom indoors, but if they do, they will bloom during spring and summer.

Does Kalanchoe Tomentosa go dormant?

Yes, it goes dormant during:

  • Summer

Is Kalanchoe Tomentosa poisonous?

Yes, it is known to cause issues in:

  • Cats
  • Dogs
Kalanchoe Tomentosa is poisonous if ingested. Use caution around pets. Panda plants produce calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves that can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Synonyms

Kalanchoe tomentosa Baker

Pictures of Kalanchoe Tomentosa

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